Grandma Elaine

My Grandma Elaine passed away peacefully at my parents home last Sunday morning, September 12, 2010. Just a day after my birthday. She has had Alzheimer's and for the last 5 years she has been living with my parents.

How truly blessed I am to have known this great woman. I have many fond memories of her. I loved how she made macaroni and cheese, our late night runs to Harmons to get gallons of ice cream, powdered milk (she never bought regular milk), the farm, picking strawberries, mixing orange & cherry kool-aid, the letters she wrote to me when I was young, I could go on. She will be dearly missed, but what a wonderful reunion she must be having on the other side.

Mary Elaine Wheatley Bawden, Brigham City. Mary Elaine Wheatley Bawden peacefully left this life on Sunday, September 12, 2010, at the home of her oldest son, Orin H. Bawden, in Brigham City, Utah.Born just 10 miles north in Honeyville, Utah, to George Harold Wheatley and Dagmar Carolyn Jensen Wheatley on February 4, 1923, raised on a dairy farm and worked hard in the field crops, too. Known as Elaine, she lived her married life in Granger, Utah (now West Valley). While serving in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) in World War II at San Antonio, TX, she met and later married a Utah boy, Henry Helm Bawden. Married in the Logan Temple on June 8, 1949, together they forged a wonderful partnership while having seven children. Their second, Henry Lane Bawden, died shortly after birth. Served in the PTA, as a substitute teacher and active in the LDS faith as a teacher and leader. She was a sower of seeds and a sewer of clothes. She quilted, crocheted afghans, baked bread and cookies, and made a great stew, She instilled a love of music, books, poetry and art in all of us. And she loved the grandchildren. Survived by her six children: Orin H. Bawden (Dixie), Brigham City, UT; Lawrence W. Bawden (Donna), Kearns, UT; C. Dagmar Bawden Becerril (Sergio), Magna, UT; Marilane W. Bawden, Wendover, UT; Robin W. Bawden (Wendi), Riverton, UT; Peggy P. Harnish (Jay), Cheyenne, WY; 25 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren. Living siblings: Janet A. Marsh (Phillip); Gwendolyn D. Burnett (Floyd); Daniel M. Wheatley (LaNae); Peggy M. Nelson (Rodney). Preceded in death by her husband Henry, her son, Henry Lane; great-grandchild, Jordan; by her parents; and two brothers, George and Theron. Services will be held on Friday, September 17, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. in the Brigham 3rd Ward Chapel, 203 North 200 West. A viewing will be held on Thursday at Gillies Funeral Chapel, 634 East 200 South, Brigham City, from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Friday at the church from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. Interment will be in the Elysian Burials Gardens in Salt Lake City where military honors will be accorded at approx. 2:00 p.m. email condolences to the family at http://www.gilliesfuneralchapel.com/

On Friday we had the opportunity to attend my grandma's funeral services. We had the viewing and funeral at the Brigham City 3rd ward chapel. The funeral was so nice. Some of my dad's siblings spoke and I along with some of my sisters and cousins got to sing. We sang "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem" and "Where Love Is". They were some of my grandma's favorite songs.

After the funeral we had the family luncheon and then we traveled to Murray for the graveside services.

My Grandma wore Army Boots. Literally!! She was a WAC (women's army corp) in World War II. She was an x-ray technician. She was very proud of that, and we were proud of her. So for the funeral services the American Legion, along with my brother in law Kole (who is active military) did the ceremony.

The flag ceremony and final salute where amazing. I bawled when they played taps. It was so wonderful that they payed tribute to my grandma this way. She would have loved it.

They fire 3 rounds as a final salute.

Kole presenting the flag to my dad.

After they gave my dad the flag the military gave the family a little speech.

Tabi, Trinity, Kole, Paige, Brock, & MaKady

Me, My Aunt Peggy, & cousin Alisa (I haven't seen them in a very long time)

Kole & Tabi

Ava, Julie, Hannah, Brittney, Paige

William & Katie

Wendy, Jake, & Robin (my dad's youngest brother)

Jay, Peggy, Tricia, Alisa, & Curtis (Peggy is my dad's youngest sister)

Watching as they lower the casket.

Tori

Things to do when your bored...

So last Saturday we were bored. We really have a hard time sitting at home. (we are working on this) but we just couldn't stand it anymore so after lunch we decided to try the new park in town. The younger kids (and Jared) really loved it. (MaKady was at a friends house) There were all sorts of things to play and they have a splash pad. The weather was warm and it was so much fun.

Then after we went to the park we had to stop at the red barn for some ice cream. What a fun Saturday and a great way to spend the day if your bored.

Dirt Monster

Good Night we have our hands full. I swear everytime I turn around I find a mess like this. Lucas is into everything. Cupboards, drawers, garbage, toilet, laundry, pulling out toys, breaking crayons, playing with the dirt in my plant (the only one I have managed to keep alive). My list could go on. I have no idea how people can deal with more than one toddler at a time. But we love this little guy with all our hearts and we couldn't imagine life without him. (I hope he will grow out of this faze though.)

Happy Birthday MaKady

As of August 29, 2010 we officially have a teenager. MaKady turned 13. So far she is a fabulous teenager. (I hope she stays that way) We love everything about her (except her occasional mood-swings.) But honestly she is great. We love you MaKady - Happy Brithday!!!

Helping Mom

These two little ones love helping me in the kitchen. Everytime I am in there making anything, including lunches in the morning they are there to see what I am doing. I think their favorite part is licking the beaters when I make a cake.

First Day of School

Woohoo!!!! School is back in session. Okay, I know I'm not supposed to be this excited, but I am. I love when the girls are back in school and our schedule is back to normal. We have had a wonderful summer. We have done a ton of fun stuff and had some great family time. But I love a good schedule. This year Paige is in 2nd grade and MaKady is in 8th.

Summer Rain..

The other day when I got home from work it started to rain. Lucas loves being outside and he wanted to be out there just like every other day. So I thought we could stand out on the porch and watch the rain. We were having a blast out there, then the wind shifted and it started blowing rain onto the porch. I came inside and tried to bring Lucas in as well, but he just wanted to stand out there. So I sat by the door and watched him get soaking wet. He loved it.

Demolition Derby

Last Saturday we went to the Demolition Derby in Nephi. Paige and Lucas have never been to one and they thought it was so much fun. MaKady was up visiting my parents for the week so she didn't come with us. It was a fun way to end the summer. We have had a lot of fun family time. But I am really excited for school to start and fall to begin.

Trent, Jared, Lucas, & Paige

Weekend in Vegas...

Our 9 year anniversary was the end of July, so to celebrate we decided we wanted to spend a weekend in Vegas. We drove to St. George Thursday night and spent the night at Tabi & Kole's house. We got up early Friday morning and kissed our kids goodbye and drove to Vegas.

We spent most of the day Friday school shopping for the girls at the outlet stores. Then we had IHOP for lunch and headed to our hotel (Sunset Station) to check in. After a little nap we headed out to the pool. It was fun to just lounge around and relax. Friday night we had dinner at the hotel and went to bed early. (boring I know but that is what this vacation was for, just a nice relaxing weekend.)

Saturday I couldn't sleep in, as hard as I tried, but we hung out and watched tv until 10 and then we headed out and had breakfast and did a little more shopping. Then we had a little lunch and back to the hotel to swim some more.

Saturday night we actually drove down the strip, but we didn't feel like stopping anywhere. We drove out to Summerlin to visit some friends and then we went out to Yogurt Land for some ice cream. On the way back to the hotel we took a little detour and drove through our old neighborhood in Henderson.

Sunday we slept in a little bit, then we had breakfast and headed back to St. George to get our kids. Then we got home Sunday night.

Jared and I both had Monday off, which was really nice so we got a lot of the household chores done (laundry, mowing the lawn, etc.) and we played games and watched movies with the kids. It was a fun weekend and a much needed break.

My sister Tabi has a great post about how the kids spent their weekend. You can see her post here.